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The inaugural Global Traditional Medicine Summit organized by the World Health Organization WHO, a specialized agency of the United Nations, kicked off in the Indian city of Gandhinagar this week. The event focuses on sharing scientific evidence and best practices related to traditional medicine.
On Thursday, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO, emphasized the immense contributions that traditional medicine has made to health, noting its deep historical roots intertwined with our understanding of the connection between health and environmental sustnability.
Dr. Tedros underscored the importance of this gathering as a platform for combining ancient knowledge with modern scientific research for the benefit of global health and wellbeing. He highlighted how traditional medicine, dating back millennia, continues to play a significant role in contemporary practices.
Drawing on historical examples, Dr. Tedros explned that many modern drugs have their roots in traditional healing practices. For instance, the bark from the willow tree was used by ancient Sumerians and Egyptians for pn relief and anti-inflammatory purposes over 3,500 years ago. Later, Felix Hoffmann synthesized aspirin from this source in 1897, saving countless lives worldwide.
He also mentioned a groundbreaking development for malaria treatments in 1971 when Tu Youyou of China read about using sweet wormwood to treat fevers in traditional Chinese medical literature. This led her team to isolate the compound artemisinin, which has since become central to malaria treatment strategies.
Growing Importance
Dr. Tedros stressed that despite its ancient origins, traditional medicine remns a growing field with increasing demand globally. He underscored its importance for mental health, healthy aging, and the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases.
He affirmed that WHO recognizes the value of traditional medicine by approving a global strategy to promote its safe, cost-effective, and equitable use in 2014. The agency plans to develop an updated strategy by 2025.
Integrating Traditional Medicine
Dr. Tedros highlighted how through initiatives like the World Health Organization's Global Centre for Traditional Medicine established last year in Jamnagar, India, WHO is working toward informing policies and standardizing traditional remedies worldwide. He encouraged countries to explore how best to integrate traditional medicine into their health systems while unlocking its potential.
The summit adopt a declaration by the of this week that could pave the way for enhanced integration of traditional medicine into healthcare services across nations.
Scientific Validation
WHO is focused on bringing scientific evidence and validation to traditional medicine, allowing millions who rely on it to understand its safety and effectiveness and ensuring they are better protected. When traditionally used medicines undergo scientific scrutiny, their potential to bridge health access gaps worldwide becomes more apparent.
Dr. Tedros emphasized that the summit represents an opportunity for global collaboration between traditional healers, scientists, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to develop innovative approaches towards leveraging traditional medicine's full potential for improved public health outcomes.
In , the WHO's mission at this summit is not only to foster dialogue but also to create a foundation for integrating traditional medicines into modern healthcare systems while ensuring that scientific standards are met. This will enable traditional practices to contribute meaningfully to global health initiatives and ensure that they serve as a resource rather than a liability in promoting health and wellbeing.
For more information, visit:
WHO's official website on Traditional Medicine https:www.who.intnews-roomfact-sheetsdetltraditional-and-complementary-medicine
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